madrigal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unaccompanied partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic form
  2. verb sing madrigals
    • The group was madrigaling beautifully

WordNet

Mad"ri*gal noun
Etymology
It. madrigale, OIt. madriale, mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. fold, stable; hence, madrigal, originally, a pastoral song.
Definitions
  1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
    Whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear his madrigal. Milton.
  2. (Mus.) An unaccompanied polyphonic song, in four, five, or more parts, set to secular words, but full of counterpoint and imitation, and adhering to the old church modes. Unlike the freer glee, it is best sung with several voices on a part. See Glee.

Webster 1913